Learn how to get your business license in the City of Buford
Every business in the City of Buford must apply each year for an occupational tax certificate, formerly referred to as a business license. The fee for the certificate is based on gross receipts and the tax rate for your business class:
Fee = gross receipts from previous year x the tax rate (tax class rate ranges 0.00065-0.00130) + $25
The maximum fee/tax for any single company is $20,000.
Certain licensed professionals (including architects, doctors, and engineers, among others) may pay a flat fee of $25, rather than a fee based on gross receipts.
As regulated by the State of Georgia, banks should use form PT440 to obtain their occupational tax certificate.
For additional information about occupational tax certificates, see below or contact Autumn Cole at acole@cityofbuford.com or 770-945-6761.
Obtaining a new Occupational Tax Certificate
Occupational tax certificate forms for new businesses are available online and at Buford City Hall, 2300 Buford Highway. Please be aware that the only way to obtain and renew occupational tax certificates is directly through the City of Buford. At this time, online payments are not accepted, and no outside websites
should be used. Submit forms to the City of Buford
New businesses as well as those that are changing names, changing ownership, or moving to a new location must obtain a new certificate of occupancy. This certificate is required before you may legally occupy your building, obtain your occupational tax certificate, and conduct business operations. To obtain a certificate of occupancy, submit an online request to the Gwinnett County Fire Marshal. A copy of this certificate must be presented to the City of Buford in order to complete City inspections.
The process for obtaining a certificate of occupancy usually requires about a week. It takes about five business days to process a new occupational tax certificate.
Renewing your Occupational Tax Certificate
If you already have a City of Buford occupational tax certificate, the City will contact you in early January to renew for the following year. Paperwork is due back to the City of Buford in mid-February and payment is due March 31, 2022 Occupational Tax – Renewal Application. Forms are to be returned to the City of Buford.
Please be aware: Georgia's "Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011" (HB 87) requires that business license applicants and renewals be in compliance with new state immigration and identification standards. In order to be in compliance, the City of Buford must require the affidavits and verifiable documentation that are included and identified in the application forms referenced above.
Under Georgia Law, employers must now register and utilize the FEDERAL WORK AUTHORIZATION PROGRAM in accordance with the applicable provisions and deadlines established in OCGA § 36-60-6(a). For more information please visit uscis.gov/e-verify
The City of Buford will not issue initial licenses, certificates or renewals without a completed Private Employer Affidavit on file.
Occupational Tax Forms
New Occupational Tax Certificate Application.pdf
Occupational Tax Renewal Form 2024.pdf
Businees Closure Form.pdf
Please contact the City of Buford (770-945-6761) with questions concerning a Business License.